Irish coach Sean Connor has revealed the advice he gave to Luke Baartman during their time at Cape Town Spurs, directing the Kaizer Chiefs attacker to a former Manchester United forward.
Connor, now head coach of Gaborone United, handed Baartman his debut at Spurs in the 2023/24 season. He believes the 20-year-old has all the attributes to develop into a top striker if he continues to learn and improve.
The Botswana Premier League-winning coach said he first recognised Baartman’s potential while watching him in Cape Town Spurs’ youth structures.
“I remember watching Luke Baartman every day with the Cape Town Spurs youth team. I loved his movement and his aggression. Then I went to watch him play for the DDC team, and the boy could finish. That’s when I realised he was a natural finisher,” Connor told FARPost.
Connor was speaking after watching Baartman produce a Man of the Match performance in Chiefs’ 3-1 victory over Kruger United over the weekend.
WHICH EX-MANCHESTER UNITED STRIKER CONNOR LIKENED BAARTMAN TO
“It was his movement that really stood out. I remember going home one night thinking, ‘Who does this boy remind me of?’
Then it came to me – Henrik Larsson. I thought he moved around the box like Henrik Larsson. He’s not the biggest, but he’s very good in the air, he’s aggressive in the press, and he arcs his runs in a similar way to Larsson,” added Connor.
Those qualities convinced Connor to fast-track Baartman into the first team. “When I brought him into the first team, I even said to Luke, ‘Go and Google Henrik Larsson because I think you can play that type of striker.’
“I had spoken to Shaun Bartlett before about giving Luke an opportunity, but at that stage he probably felt Luke was still a bit too young. Then, when I was given the temporary reins, the very first thing I did was bring Luke into first-team training. What convinced me even more was that he wasn’t timid. He was doing the same things I’d seen him do with the youth team.”
Baartman made his debut against Orlando Pirates before opening his senior goalscoring account against Chiefs in a 3-2 defeat. He went on to make 10 appearances and score twice during the 2023/24 campaign.
“I remember the day I named him in the squad to face Orlando Pirates. I told people around the club, but nobody thought he was ready. I think some of the coaches felt it was too early for him. But it wasn’t too early. The kid was ready.”
Connor believes Baartman possesses all the ingredients to fulfil his potential at Chiefs and eventually earn senior Bafana Bafana honours.
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